Vajrayana Buddhism Association - CA
About Essence
Essence is a polysemic term, used in philosophy and theology as a designation for the property or set of properties that make an entity or substance what it fundamentally is, and which it has by necessity, and without which it loses its identity. Essence is contrasted with accident: a property that the entity or substance has contingently, without which the substance can still retain its identity.
Kungto Society - KR
Plum Village - Thich Nhat Hanh
The enigmatic blend of rationality and devotion in Buddhism
At first, Buddhism appears to be an enigma. On the one hand, it is highly logical and rational, without any dogmatic beliefs.
On the other hand, when we come into contact with its teachings, we find that it includes religious ideals, doctrines beyond our understanding, and a program of training that emphasizes faith and discourages doubt.
Empirical approach vs spiritual viewpoint
When we attempt to understand our own bond with the Dhamma, we eventually face .
Cultivating inner enlightenment potential through the Tathāgatagarbha
Within the realm of Buddhist philosophy, the teachings of the Buddha are not confined to esoteric doctrines and spiritual ideals but are, in fact, deeply rooted in profound insights into the nature of existence and the human condition.
One such exploration is found in the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras and the teachings from the book "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" derived from it. This book stands as the third volume in The Library of Wisdom and .
Origin of Yoga and its connection with Buddhism
Nowadays, you can find yoga classes in nearly every city, and there are numerous online platforms that facilitate practicing yoga at home.
Yoga involves a combination of physical postures and breath work, which can be either static or flowing, slow or fast.
Historical origins of Yoga
It is essential to understand the core essence and purpose of yoga and its historical origins.
This history offers valuable insights into the cultural context during which the Buddha lived and .
108 Verses Praising Great Compassion By Lama Lobsang Tayang
This translation of 108 Verses Praising is of the renowned Mongolian Lama Lobsang Tayang's work. He was a highly esteemed interpreter of the Gelugpa tradition, and his writings cover a wide range of Tibetan literature, Tantra, logic and philosophy.
About Lama Lobsang Tayang
Geshe Lobsang Tayang was born in 1867 in the Gobi desert, was renowned for his vast knowledge of Buddhism. He was compared to the Indian pandit Ashvagosha, author of the “50 Verses .
The Dalai Lama’s views on the Madhyamaka
This article is about the Dalai Lama's thoughts on the The Madhyamaka also referred as "Middle Way".
It is based on the belief that all things are interconnected and interdependent, and that therefore no one thing can be considered in isolation.
The Dalai Lama's views on the "Middle Way"
This article discusses the Dalai Lama's views on the Middle Way Approach, a philosophy which advocates for a balanced and moderate approach to life.
While addressing the congregation at the .
The Mahamudra Practice – Unveiling the True Nature of the Mind
Mahamudra is a form of Tibetan Buddhism that emphasizes the nature of mind.
In Mahamudra, practitioners aim to see the true nature of their minds, which is said to be empty and open.
Origin of the Mahamudra Practice
The main text of Mahamudra is "The Root Text of the Middle Way" by the Indian master Nagarjuna (not to be confused with the earlier philosopher).
The actual practice and lineage of mahāmudrā can be traced back to wandering mahasiddhas or great .
Madhyamaka – Buddhist philosophy and practices
Madhyamaka also known as Śūnyavāda and Niḥsvabhāvavāda refers to a tradition of Buddhist philosophy and practice founded by the Indian philosopher Nāgārjuna.
The foundational text of the Mādhyamaka tradition is Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā.
More broadly, Madhyamaka also refers to the ultimate nature of phenomena and the realization of this in meditative equipoise.
According to the classical madhyamaka thinkers, all phenomena (dharmas) are empty (śūnya) of "nature," a "substance" or "essence" (svabhāva) which gives them "solid and .
The 8 Stupas in Buddhism
The 8 Stupas in Buddhism are different with each other and represents an important event in Buddha Shakyamuni's life. In his Astamahasthanacaitya-stotras, Nagarjuna connects the eight Stupas to specific events and places in the Buddha's life.
Chorten, Chaitya or Stupa (མཆོད་རྟེན་དཀར་པོ།) is an important religious monument in Buddhism, symbolizing Buddha’s presence. It also holds precious Buddhist relics and sometimes even preserved bodies of renowned lamas. Tibetans believe that performing Koras of the monument is an .
Applique Thangka of Vajrapani
The applique thangka of vajrapani is created using hundreds of hand-cut and embroidered pieces of satin and brocade silk, stitched together with Mongolian horsetail.
This applique is handmade by following traditional methods of strictly adhering to the proportions of deities as they are laid down in Buddhist scripture.
About the Applique
Vajrapani is revered as the embodiment of power and the keeper of the Buddha's tantric teachings. He was given the mission of vanquishing a monster known .
The Vajrasattva Mantra Banner
OM VAJRASATTVA HUM.
The Bodhisattva Vajrasattva represents primordial purity. We can clean our minds of greed, hatred, and delusion by meditating on him. He carries a vajra thunderbolt in his heart, which signifies his upaya, or talent in liberating creatures via compassion.
Who is Vajrasattva?
Vajrasattva is a significant figure in the tantric Buddhism of the Kathmandu Valley's Newar people. He is commonly invoked in the guru maala, which is the fundamental ritual for all other Newar .